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Caregiver handout

Home Fall-Safety Checklist

Most falls at home involve a fixable hazard. Walk through the home with this list, ideally along the routes actually used at night: bed to bathroom, chair to kitchen, door to car.

Floors and pathways

  • Remove throw rugs, or secure them with double-sided tape; rug edges are a leading trip hazard.
  • Clear walking paths of cords, clutter, and low furniture; paths should fit the walker or wheelchair with room to spare.
  • Fix or mark thresholds and single steps; a strip of contrasting tape makes a step visible.

Lighting

  • Add night lights along the bed-to-bathroom route.
  • Put a lamp or switch within reach of the bed so no one crosses a dark room.
  • Light both the top and bottom of any stairs, with switches at both ends.

Bathroom

  • Use a non-slip mat or strips inside the tub or shower.
  • Ask the therapist about grab bars at the toilet and tub, installed into solid backing, and a shower chair or raised toilet seat if recommended.
  • Never use towel bars or the sink edge as support; they are not anchored for body weight.

Stairs and outdoors

  • Handrails on both sides of stairs, full length, firmly anchored.
  • Keep steps clear, dry, and in good repair; paint outdoor step edges with gritty, high-visibility paint.
  • In winter, treat ice before it is walked on and keep a mounted grip rail at the entry used most.

If a fall happens and involves a head strike, blood thinners, or the person cannot get up, seek medical evaluation rather than waiting to see how they feel.

Therapist / contact: ______________________________ Date: ____________

Educational material from TheOTBench, reviewed with you by your therapist. It supplements, and never replaces, your care team's specific instructions. Source basis: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, STEADI: Check for Safety, a home fall prevention checklist for older adults.